Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey Review (2017)
By Emma Briones
Rating: A
(Credit: Emma Briones)
In 1984, Barry Crockett, former Master Distiller at Midleton, decided to bottle an expression that showcased the best of the distillery. This limited edition blend has now reached its 33rd edition: Midleton Very Rare 2017.
The Irish distillery has also used the launch of this 33rd edition to redesign the packaging of Midleton Very Rare, with a new bottle and a new presentation box. The bottle takes inspiration from a writer’s inkwell and a soft dip in the shoulder echoes the nib of a pen, a tribute to Ireland’s literary legacy.
Midleton Very Rare 2017 is a creation of Brian Nation, the current Master Distiller. It is a blend of grain and Pot Still whiskey that has been matured in Bourbon barrels.
The blend includes whisky from 12 to 32 years. Among stock choices is a 32 years old grain whiskey and a 26 years old single pot still. This limited edition has been bottled without chill-filtration at 40% volume (80 proof).
The Whiskey
In the glass, the whiskey is copper gold. On the nose, it is full of sweet and fruity aromas. Midleton Very Rare 2017 starts with soft notes of vanilla and honey that are quickly followed by fresh and fruitier notes. Mainly orange zest and some tangerine notes, but also hints of pears and apples. Some toasted oak notes show up slowly, accompanied by nutmeg and pepper notes.
On the palate, it is a silky whiskey. It starts soft and sweet to dive on its spicier side. First, there are some honey and vanilla notes with a light touch of toffee. Little by little, the whiskey becomes more complex and shows each and every one of its layers.
Midleton Very Rare 2017 continues with the citrus notes of the nose, highlighting the tangerine notes and with hints of pears and apples. There are also some cereal notes accompanied by spices. There is cardamom, clove, ginger and liquorice notes that slowly fade away.
The finish is quite long. The fruitier notes vanish slowly, leaving in the aftertaste some spices with a sweet touch.
Midleton Very Rare 2017 maintains the American barrel style that has been a characteristic of this limited edition for 33 years. It has different layers and nuances that can be discovered with each drop.
It may be a little bit less herbaceous that other expressions in the same range, but it is really nicely balanced. A sweet delight for the palate.
The Price
Midleton Very Rare 2017 is officially available in the US, Canada and Ireland. It is retailed at €180 and around $200.
Have to agree. This ranks as the finest whisky I have tasted to date. Nothing to do with price paid or exclusivity. Simply the smoothest complexity experienced at whatever price point. I think being a blend it suffers from an inherent bias held by many. Not saying there isn’t better. Just saying this is top notch. I will collect every year vintage I can from now on.